International Paper plant to close in NW AR

International Paper plant to close in NW AR

A half-dozen jobs will be eliminated when International Paper Co. closes one of its three operations in Fort Smith.

FORT SMITH, Ark. (AP) — A half-dozen jobs will be eliminated when International Paper Co. closes one of its three operations in Fort Smith.

Company spokeswoman Amy J. Sawyer told the Southwest Times Record on Tuesday the jobs will be lost when the sheet plant operation ends production in mid-June. Sawyer says employees at the plant were told of the closing last week.

The plant produces specialty corrugated packaging.

Sawyer says the other two International Paper plants in Fort Smith, which employ about 250 in all, will continue operations.

Region General Manager Doug Strickel says the company's merger with Temple-Inland left it with excess capacity, particularly in locations like Fort Smith where both companies operated.

Strickel said the company will provide severance and other benefits to the employees who will lose their jobs.